Having been around many different types of shops throughout my life, I’ve found it funny that as different as the shops can be, the issues and challenges are often the same. For my example, I want to talk about restoration shops. I have been in tons of shops that do quality restoration work and two things are always the same- the shop believes they do the best work on the planet and there is always that one car over in the corner. I’m not here to debate who does the best work, no, I wanna talk about that car in the corner.

Most restoration shops at one time or another have “that” car, that won’t go away. Maybe the car owner owes money and is slow to pay or the shop owner likes the project and doesn’t want to dump it and there it sits – forever. The guys in the shop don’t even notice it over time, but what about the new customers? What to they think of “that” car? Will their project join it in the corner? Is it a reflection of the shop’s effort or the car owners? One of my shops presented me with an idea, and I have passed it on to several others who really liked it. It’s simple – #7271 Transtar Euro Classic Primer. Black primer, to be specific.

“So what?” you say. Well, here’s the theory. With the craze of flat/hot rod black being in full force, many cars are now appearing in flat black- finished. So what this customer has done is started priming almost all projects in black primer. Except for white cars, of course. The thinking is that for long term projects the car looks closer to completion to potential customers, and employees as well. The energy level of employees stays up because the project doesn’t feel like such a mountain to hike. Plus, they also claim that they don’t need guide coat because the difference in sheen from sanded to sprayed is distinct.

Yes, this is a small detail, but don’t we always say it’s the little things that count? While this idea won’t change the world, it doesn’t have to, just your shop. Restoration jobs show customers your shop’s ability, and you want to produce a quality job. That takes a lot of hours, planning and skill. Why not try every angle and see if it makes a difference? It’s a restoration job, you’ve got time right? Maybe the project just looks better sitting in the shop. Maybe the employees stay more inspired to work efficiently. Maybe the car owner keeps more interest in it because it looks “close”.  Maybe it will help keep it from becoming “that” car!